The Predators’ new captain returned to the ice in Music City on Friday for his first almost real practice with the team as its unquestioned leader. And the good vibes were apparent the second he walked out in his uniform.

He hugged one of the Predators’ workers before he took to the ice, and joked around with several of his teammates during the one-hour session.

“It’s always great when he comes back. He is a great kid and a great guy in the dressing room and he is a better player on the ice,” Erat said. “It is important to get the guy on the ice who is always going to be standing behind you.”

Fourteen Predators showed up to the practice. Weber mostly followed Steve Sullivan’s lead, as the forward has been the unofficial coach of these sessions. But his teammates noticed a sort of attentiveness by some of the prospects toward the new captain.

“Probably for the young kids, it feels a little bit different, when he is back,” Erat said.

Weber said he didn’t feel a difference of some of the players toward him. In fact, his goal is to blend in and appear normal.

“I expect them to treat me the same way because I am going to treat them all the same,” Weber said. “I’m not going to change at all. It’s just something I will have to deal with, a little more responsibility. These are the same guys I played with before and I am excited to get going.”